What are the Approved Documents?

Approved Documents are guidance documents published by the UK Government that provide practical guidance on how to comply with the Building Regulations 2010 in England. There are currently 16 Approved Documents covering topics from structural safety (Part A) to infrastructure for electronic communications (Part R). Following the Approved Documents is not mandatory, but they represent the most common way to demonstrate compliance. Alternative approaches are permitted if they can be shown to meet the functional requirements of the regulations.

Do I need Building Control approval for my project?

Most building work in England requires Building Control approval, including extensions, loft conversions, structural alterations, new heating systems, replacement windows, rewiring and new bathrooms. Some minor work is exempt, such as like-for-like repairs, small detached buildings under 15 m² with no sleeping accommodation, and certain temporary structures. If you are unsure, contact your local authority Building Control department or an Approved Inspector before starting work.

What is the difference between Full Plans and Building Notice?

Full Plans involves submitting detailed drawings and specifications to Building Control before work starts. You receive a formal decision (approval or conditional approval) within 5 weeks (or 2 months by agreement). Building Notice is a simpler route where you notify Building Control at least 2 days before starting work, but you do not receive formal plan approval. Building Notice is not available for work involving fire safety in buildings over certain heights, or where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order applies. Full Plans gives more certainty but takes longer to process.

What is a competent person scheme?

Competent person schemes allow registered installers to self-certify that their work complies with Building Regulations without involving Building Control. Examples include Gas Safe Register for gas work, FENSA for replacement windows and doors, NICEIC and NAPIT for electrical work (Part P), HETAS for solid fuel appliances, and MCS for renewable energy installations. The installer must be registered with an approved scheme and will issue a certificate of compliance, which is also notified to your local authority.

How often are Building Regulations updated?

Building Regulations in England are updated periodically, with major revisions happening every few years. Recent significant updates include the 2021/2022 changes to Part L (energy efficiency), Part F (ventilation), Part O (overheating) and Part S (EV charging). The Government typically provides a transition period of several months between publication and enforcement. Always check the Planning Portal (planningportal.co.uk) or GOV.UK for the current versions of Approved Documents, as using outdated guidance could result in non-compliant work.

Building Regulations England — Approved Documents Guide

Approved Documents A to S

The Building Regulations 2010 (as amended) set out functional requirements for building work in England. The Approved Documents provide practical guidance on how to meet these requirements. Below is a summary of every Approved Document currently in force.

Part	Title	Covers
A	Structure	Loadings, ground movement, disproportionate collapse
B	Fire Safety	Means of warning/escape, internal fire spread (linings and structure), external fire spread, access for fire services
C	Site Preparation & Resistance to Contaminants/Moisture	Ground preparation, resistance to moisture, subsoil drainage
D	Toxic Substances	Cavity insulation materials — preventing fumes entering the building
E	Resistance to Sound	Separating walls, separating floors, internal walls/floors, reverberation in common areas
F	Ventilation	Means of ventilation, performance-based and system-based approaches (updated 2021)
G	Sanitation, Hot Water Safety & Water Efficiency	Sanitary conveniences, bathrooms, hot water safety, water efficiency (125 L/person/day)
H	Drainage & Waste Disposal	Foul water drainage, wastewater treatment, rainwater drainage, building over sewers
J	Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage	Air supply, discharge of combustion products, protection of buildings, fuel storage
K	Protection from Falling, Collision & Impact	Stairs, ladders, ramps, guarding, vehicle barriers, protection from collision
L	Conservation of Fuel & Power	U-values, air permeability, heating/cooling efficiency, lighting (major update June 2022)
M	Access to & Use of Buildings	Access, circulation, facilities for disabled people, sanitary provisions
O	Overheating	Limiting unwanted solar gains, removing excess heat (new 2022)
P	Electrical Safety	Design, installation, inspection and testing of electrical installations in dwellings
Q	Security — Dwellings	Unauthorised access to dwellings — doors and windows
R	Electronic Communications	In-building physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communications
S	Infrastructure for Charging Electric Vehicles	EV charge point infrastructure for new buildings and major renovations (new 2022)

Building Control Submission Routes

There are two main routes to building control approval in England:

Full Plans Application

Submit detailed plans and specifications before work starts
Building Control must issue a decision within 5 weeks (extendable to 2 months by agreement)
Formal approval gives certainty that the design complies
Plans are checked against all applicable Approved Documents
Required for work involving fire safety in buildings containing flats, and certain other work types
Inspections at key stages: foundations, damp-proof course, drainage, structural steels, completion

Building Notice

Notify Building Control at least 2 working days before starting work
No formal plan check — compliance is assessed during site inspections
Simpler and quicker to start, but carries more risk if problems are found during construction
Not available for all project types (e.g. not for work to which the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order applies)
A building notice is valid for 3 years from the date of submission

Approved Inspectors

As an alternative to local authority Building Control, you can appoint an Approved Inspector (a private sector Building Control body registered with CICAIR). The process is similar to Full Plans — the Approved Inspector checks your plans and carries out site inspections. They issue an Initial Notice to the local authority and a Final Certificate on completion. Approved Inspectors cannot deal with work on buildings put to a designated use (e.g. hospitals, care homes) without first consulting the fire authority.

Competent Person Schemes

Competent person schemes allow registered installers to self-certify that their work complies with Building Regulations without a separate Building Control application. The main schemes include:

Scheme	Work Type	Relevant Part
Gas Safe Register	Gas appliance installation and maintenance	Part J
FENSA	Replacement windows and doors	Part L
NICEIC / NAPIT / ELECSA	Domestic electrical installations	Part P
HETAS	Solid fuel appliances (wood burners, stoves)	Part J
OFTEC	Oil-fired appliances	Part J
MCS	Renewable energy installations (solar, heat pumps)	Part L

Key Resources

Planning Portal — Building Regulations — Official starting point for all building regulations queries in England
GOV.UK — Approved Documents — Download all current Approved Documents
GOV.UK — Competent Person Schemes — Full list of authorised schemes

Related Calculators

Use the Part L Compliance Calculator to check U-values, the Part B Fire Strategy Calculator for fire resistance periods, and the Building Control Fee Calculator to estimate submission costs. See the Competent Person Schemes Reference for a detailed breakdown of all schemes.

Note: Building Regulations are updated periodically. The information on this page reflects regulations current as of April 2026. Always check official sources at planningportal.co.uk or GOV.UK for the most current requirements before starting any building work.

For regulations in other parts of the UK, see our guides for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Building Regulations England — Approved Documents Guide

Approved Documents A to S

Building Control Submission Routes

Full Plans Application

Building Notice

Approved Inspectors

Competent Person Schemes

Key Resources

Related Calculators

How We Calculate This

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Building Control Fee Calculator

Part L Compliance Calculator

Part B Fire Strategy Calculator

Part E Sound Test Calculator